The higher Egyptian-Syrian committee that meets in Cairo Sunday will focus on means to improve economic and trade cooperation between the two states, said an official Egyptian council of ministers source, Saturday, said agencies, adding that political issues are also top on the meeting’s agenda.

The meetings will be co-headed by the Egyptian prime minister Atef Ebeid and Syrian counterpart Mustafa Miro.

The two sides would sign a number of agreements and the Miro would tour some industrial projects during his stay, said the reports.

The committee is to discuss a joint free trade zone in view of previous related studies by the committee as well as means to boost trade exchange in line with signed agreements. Talks would also discuss the lat! est developments concerning export of Egyptian gas to Turkey through Syrian territories, a project that costs around one billion dollars.

Sources told the Kuwaiti official news agency (KUNA) that the two sides would discuss the latest developments regarding the Middle East and terrorism and their effect on the region.

The Syrian prime minister is expected to be accompanied by a high-ranking delegation and a host of businessmen. Press reports said the two states would sign an agreement to establish a joint free trade zone and gradual tariff exemptions aiming at no fees six years from now.

The reports also said agreement to increase the trade exchange would also be signed to bring the value up to 300 million dollars. (Albawaba.com)